South C residents demand justice after 16-storey building collapse

Police engage South C residents protesting outside Ardhi House in April, 2026 /FILE

Residents of South C in Nairobi have accused the government of dragging its feet in investigations into the collapse of a 16-storey building along Muhoho Avenue earlier this year.

They warned that continued inaction could expose more Kenyans to danger from illegal and unsafe structures.

In a protest letter dated May 11 and addressed to Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, the residents expressed frustration over what they termed as failure by authorities to hold those responsible for the January tragedy accountable.

The building collapse, which occurred on Plot No. 68/1306 in South C, claimed the lives of two people and reignited concerns over lax enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi and other urban centres.

The petition, copied to several state agencies including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, National Construction Authority, the office of Douglas Kanja, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Johnson Sakaja and the Architectural Association of Kenya, demanded urgent action and transparency in the investigations.

The residents said more than five months after the collapse, there had been no meaningful communication or visible action from the relevant government agencies despite repeated public concern and assurances.

“We write on behalf of residents of South C and the wider Kenyan public to express our profound outrage, disappointment and concern over the continued silence and apparent inaction by the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development following the tragic collapse of the illegal 16-storey building located at Muhoho Avenue, South C,” the petition signed by South C Residents Association chairperson Abdi Karim Hassan stated.

The association claimed that a previous petition submitted to the ministry on April 17 had not received any official response, raising fears that influential individuals behind illegal developments were being protected.

“The silence from your ministry and other enforcement agencies has created the disturbing perception that powerful individuals connected to the illegal developments are being protected at the expense of public safety and justice,” the letter said.

The residents have now issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding a progress report on investigations and action taken against those responsible for approving or constructing the building.

They warned that any future tragedy arising from unsafe buildings in the area would rest squarely on the institutions and officials tasked with enforcing building standards and public safety regulations.

The latest protest comes just weeks after residents staged demonstrations outside Ardhi House over concerns regarding the safety of the neighbouring 15-storey building.

According to the residents, the apartment block suffered partial structural damage during the collapse and may also have violated approved construction plans.

They argued that the building poses a danger to occupants and nearby properties if urgent safety assessments and enforcement measures are not undertaken.